Stephen Ambrose
Stephen Ambrose
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Stephen Edward Ambrose was a renowned American historian and author.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born on January 10, 1936, in Whittier, California, USA. He passed away on October 13, 2002, at the age of 66.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Ambrose was an American historian, author, and professor. He is widely recognized for his contributions to the field of American history, particularly in the areas of World War II and the American West.
Early Life and Background
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Ambrose grew up in Whititer, California, and developed a passion for history at a young age. His father, Stephen Ambrose Sr., was an engineer, and his mother, Florence (née Smith), was a homemaker. The family moved to Iowa when Ambrose was a child, where he spent most of his youth. He showed exceptional academic abilities from an early age and attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he earned his Bachelor's degree in 1958. Ambrose went on to earn his Master's degree (1961) and Ph.D. (1963) in History from the same institution.
Major Accomplishments
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Ambrose had a distinguished academic career, teaching at various institutions, including the University of New Orleans, where he became the founding dean of the Department of History. He was also a prolific author, publishing numerous books on American history, including:
"Crazy Horse and Custer: The Parallel Lives of Two Great Warriors" (1975)
"The Wild Blue: The Men and Boys Who Flew the B-24s Over Germany" (2001)
His most notable work is probably "Band of Brothers," a book that chronicles the experiences of Easy Company, 101st Airborne Division during World War II. This book served as the basis for an HBO miniseries in 2001.
Notable Works or Actions
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Ambrose's contributions to American history are immense. Some of his notable works include:
"Citizen Soldiers: The U.S. Army from the Normandy Beaches to the Bulge to the Surrender of Germany, June 7, 1944-May 7, 1945"
"The Rise to Globalism in Western Europe, 1850-1913
He was also a vocal advocate for historical preservation and conservation. Ambrose served as the president of the National World War II Museum (then known as the National D-Day Museum) from 1996 until his death.
Impact and Legacy
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Ambrose's work has had a profound impact on our understanding of American history, particularly in the areas of World War II and the American West. His commitment to preserving historical sites and artifacts has ensured that future generations can learn from the past.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Stephen Ambrose is widely quoted and remembered for his insightful writings on American history. His dedication to the field, coupled with his exceptional storytelling abilities, has made him a beloved figure among historians and non-historians alike.
Quotes by Stephen Ambrose
Stephen Ambrose's insights on:
At the core, the American citizen soldiers knew the difference between right and wrong, and they didn't want to live in a world in which wrong prevailed. So they fought, and won, and we all of us, living and yet to be born, must be forever profoundly grateful.
Friends never cheat on each other, or take advantage, or lie. Friends do not spy on one another, yet they have no secrets. Friends glory in each other's successes and are downcast by the failures. Friends minister to each other, nurse each other. Friends give to each other, worry about each other, stand always ready to help. Perfect friendship is rarely achieved, but at its height it is an ecstasy.
D-Day represents the greatest achievement of the american people and system in the 20th century. It was the pivot point of the 20th century. It was the day on which the decision was made as to who was going to rule in this world in the second half of the 20th century. Is it going to be Nazism, is it going to be communism, or are the democracies going to prevail?
It is through history that we learn who we are and how we got that way, why and how we changed, why the good sometimes prevailed and sometimes did not.
Nothing is inevitable in life. People make choices, and those choices have results, and we all live with the results.
Lieutenant Welsh remembered walking around among the sleeping men, and thinking to himself that 'they had looked at and smelled death all around them all day but never even dreamed of applying the term to themselves. They hadn't come here to fear. They hadn't come to die. They had come to win.
In the 19th century, we devoted our best minds to exploring nature. In the 20th century, we devoted ourselves to controlling and harnessing it. In the 21st century, we must devote ourselves to restoring it.
Friendships are different from all other relationships. Unlike acquaintanceship, friendship is based on love. Unlike lovers and married couples, it is free of jealousy. Unlike children and parents, it knows neither criticism nor resentment. Friendship has no status in law. Business partnerships are based on a contract. So is marriage. Parents are bound by law. But friendships are freely entered into, freely given, and freely exercised....